Visiting Switzerland

Inaugurated in 1978, the ‘Escalade’ race in Geneva, a sort of Romande version of the city marathons that have sprung up around the world, is named after the 1602 Escalade, a defining event in Geneva history when the Genevans repelled an attack from the Duke of Savoy.

‘Escalade’ means ‘scaling’ and every year in December Geneva has pre-Christmas festivities to celebrate its victory over 400 years ago over the invading French, who were supposedly repelled by a brave matron who dispatched a ‘marmite’ (cauldron) of hot vegetable soup over the city’s walls and onto the heads of the invading soldiers, causing them to disperse in disarray. Of course the Genevans of 1602 defended themselves as well with artillery, halberds and other hand-to-hand weapons.

So at this time of year Genevans drink cups of marmite and watch a 3-hour parade by torchlight, with costumes from the 16th and 17th century, to re-enact the ‘company of 1602’ in Geneva’s Old Town. The
pastry and chocolate shops all sell cauldrons made of chocolate.

The Escalade festival takes place from Friday through Sunday on the weekend closest to December 11, the day of the Savoyards’ ill-fated invasion.

The parade begins on Sunday evening, finishing near the cathedral.

The Escalade ‘marathon’ race is part of this general celebration, though it was added only 30 years ago, and has more and more participants each year.